Around us in Stockholm, there are several protected objects that we are not allowed to photograph. It is important that you know what applies to both avoid problems during the competition and avoid risking disqualification.

In Sweden, we have broad freedom to photograph in public places. But there are limits under the Protective Security Act, a law intended to protect buildings and places critical to Sweden’s security, such as military facilities, police stations, Riksbanken, and other vital public infrastructure. There is plenty of that in Stockholm.

What is a protected object?

A protected object is a building or area that has been given special legal protection. It is not always forbidden to photograph a protected object, but sometimes there is what is known as a prohibition on depiction, or a photography ban. This means that you may not photograph or otherwise depict the object.

Look out for the yellow sign.

You can recognise a protected object by the yellow signs. If photography is forbidden, there will be a clear symbol showing a crossed-out camera.

Remember that the ban applies even if you are standing outside the fenced area or photographing from a distance. It is the subject itself that may not be depicted. It does not matter whether you are “just taking a quick picture”, whether it is for artistic purposes, or even whether it is for Stockholm Fotomaraton.

A breach of the Protective Security Act can lead to a fine or, in the worst case, imprisonment. Several of our important protected objects in Stockholm are also heavily guarded, and the guards take this very seriously.

Inside the walls or the whole facade?

Some protected objects have signs where the ban only applies inside the walls, and therefore not to the outside of the building or its facade. That means it can sometimes be worth going up to the sign and reading what it actually says.

As a photographer and participant, it is your responsibility to know exactly what applies to the building you have in your viewfinder. If the sign is by the entrance but does not clearly prohibit depiction of the facade, it may be permitted, but you are moving in a grey area.

Our golden rule: If you are unsure, do not take the picture. There are thousands of other subjects in Stockholm that will not risk giving you legal problems.

Special rules for Stockholm Fotomaraton

To make sure we can run the competition safely and legally, this is our position:

1. Disqualification: Any photograph depicting a protected object with a prohibition on depiction will be disqualified immediately.
2. Burden of proof: If you have taken a photograph of a location where the ban only applies indoors, and you photographed the outside, you must be able to prove this.
3. How to prove it: Take a photograph of the relevant sign showing the restriction and send it to us directly after the competition has ended. The jury can then make a correct assessment.

Summary:

• Look out for the sign: a yellow sign with a crossed-out camera means stop.
• Respect the law: the photography ban is not a suggestion. It is the law.
• Think about the competition: a fantastic photograph is worth nothing if it leads to disqualification or police intervention.
• When in doubt: point the camera somewhere else. Stockholm is full of fantastic subjects that you can photograph without any problem.